Hartal in Ampara

[TamilNet, Saturday, 05 May 2001, 07:53 GMT]A hartal is being observed in predominantly Muslim villages in the south-eastern Ampara district Saturday, condemning the violence in Mawanella town in the Kegalle district. Black flags were hoisted on shops, houses and at public places. Burning tyres were seen on main junctions, said sources.

Normal life in the villages of Maruthamunai, Kalmunai, Kalmunaikudi, Sainthamaruthu, Ninthanvur, Natpiddimunai and Sammanthurai came to a standstill owing to the hartal, the sources said.

Armed forces have stepped up their security measures in the villages where hartal is being observed. Bus services between Ampara-Kalmunai and Kalmunai-Akkaraipattu were suspended, the sources said.

On Friday over seven hundred undergraduates of the South East University held a mass demonstration after Jumma prayers at Oluvil campus premises. The demonstration was organised, condemning the attack on Muslim business establishments and mosques in Mawanella during this week.